Genetics and weight loss?

Question

Today in my biology class my teacher said something really discouraging. He said that some people inherit genes to be overweight, and no matter how much those people with a genetic tendency to be overweight try and lose the weight, they won't be able to. Is this true? I have a friend who is currently trying to lose weight, and is now thinking of giving up on it because both her parents are overweight, so she thinks because of her genetics she won't be able to. This is really sad, but is it true? I just can't seem to believe it....

Answer 1

Your teacher is wrong. Anybody overweight can lose weight.
Your teacher,however, is right about inheriting genetics.
Whether it may happen or not, if your parents are overweight YOU MAY have a harder time losing weight because they're your're influences. Physically, it may also be harder since your friend was born with overweight parents.

Tell your friend that losing weight is possible for anybody. Eat very healthy (cut less junky foods) and excercise daily.
That; is a given for anybody losing weight.

Answer 2

Recent studies on obesity have shown that genetics do play a large role in the propensity for being overweight.. But, it's not to say that it's impossible to lose and keep the weight off.. It's harder for those who have the genes, but it can be done. We are what we eat basically.. If we eat foods that turn to sugar and don't burn it off, then weight gain is enivitable. People who have those inherited genes just have to be much more careful of what they eat and should be dieting with a doctor's help.. They also need to exercise more to burn more fat.. Tell your friend not to give up! That's the worst thing.. She'll need to work at dieting harder than others but she can do it.. Tell her to work with a doctor and or a nutritionist.. She must eat healthy but only the right foods and in the right quantities.. Good Luck to her and encourage her all you can.. She needs that.. :-)

Answer 3

Well, let's put it this way - scientists and doctors still do not have The Answer to weight management (except for the really general rule of adjusting the energy intake and usage).

However, it is quite convincing now that genes do play a role, and what is believed is that genes provide a tendency for something to happen. This is called "genetic predisposition". Basically a person's genes will make her either more LIKELY to be thin or fat. Also, most people's bodies have been programmed to try and defend their body weight rigorously.

Now, this shouldn't be a cause for despair. This is not like some predetermined fate for anybody. Studies have shown that exercise combined with a restriction in food intake can bring weight down AND keep it off, provided it's done consistently over a period of time. This is due to the fat cells' (adipocytes) life cycle. Any amount of overeating resulting in extra fat deposition will inevitably cause a rapid increase in number of fat cells. However, it takes at least 6 months of continuous effort (exercise, less food, more balanced diet) to force the number of fat cells to decrease. This means that if your friend can continuously shed pounds and keep them off for at least 6 months, her body will probably adjust to this new weight and make it the new baseline - meaning, the body will try very hard to make sure that her weight stays at that lower value.

Nevertheless, be warned! Successfully losing weight doesn't mean she can go and have some binge eating or totally lose the diet and exercise plan. It definitely won't be easy to lose weight and keep it down, but it will really be much easier to maintain her weight when she gets there. Plus, after 6 months of continuous dieting and exercising, she would probably get used to it. Oh, and occasional treats are excusable once she achieves her target (life IS meant to be enjoyed) but try not to overdo it. Never forget the genetic predisposition! (Yeah, life is unfair. We just make do the best we can.)

Another note of advice: Yo-yo dieting or more commonly known as fad dieting is VERY BAD. These are diets that help people lose weight rapidly, but is mainly due to loss of water or some easily reversible change. Once that diet is over the weight will rebound back to the original value. Moreover, these rebounds tend to make the body more and more primed to make fat cells. This means the more times somebody has a fad diet, the easier it is for the body to MAKE fat cells (which will definitely make you fat). It's still better to stick with eating more vegetables, less carbs, less fat, don't overdo the protein, drink more water and less soda, and EXERCISE! It doesn't matter if it's playing games like basketball, or sports like swimmning and jogging. The idea is to ENJOY it, rather than think of it as a regiment of pain. This way, although she might achieve her targets slower, she will definitely be able maintain her target much more easily.

Remember, the body understands what you are telling it. Tell it that fat is bad, and thin is good, and if you tell it hard enough for long enough, the body will understand and stay thin!

All the best to your friend! Hope she makes it through satisfactorily with your help. =)

Answer 4

"Genetics" as the primary cause of obesity is quite RARE. Most cases of obesity result from diets that are a mismatch with the person's genetic makeup. You can't change your genes, but you can change your diet/lifestyle. Change the diet and the genes will work beautifully.

Human genes have not had enough time to change significantly over the last 100 years. Obesity was rare just 100 years ago. Genes have not changed, but Diet and lifestyle have changed how genes work (gene expression). Diet and lifestyle are the key.

Best wishes.

Answer 5

I watched a television prigramme final week which explored the ideš of genetics and being fat. inspite of the certainty that there are 12 diverse genes that provide you a predisposution to being fat, numerous fat households have not got many out of those twekve. In thevshow thevdoctor, who substitute into very slender had greater Of the genes than any Of the fat human beings. This showa which you do not could be fat in spite of if it somewhat is on your genes. in case you're looking after your self you're able to stay slender. maximum familes share physique varieties through learnef behabiour sround foodstuff. not because of the fact of genetics.

Answer 6

while genetics does indeed have a large impact on your weight, it doesn't mean that your friend wont be able to lose weight. all he or she needs is exercise and a healthy diet. my cousin's parents are both overweight, but she has recently lost 25 pounds and looks great. tell your friend to not give up and just focus on being as healthy as possible!

Answer 7

Go regular 35 moments in the morning

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Follow a far more slim protein/green vegetable eating habits

Answer 10

The body is definitely burning up a number of energy, and also exercise makes you burn these more quickly